MSI Katana GF66 Review And Specification

You can rely on MSI to provide you with some of the greatest gaming laptops to run the most recent AAA games. Over the past few years, I've tested a number of MSI gaming laptops, and each one has wowed me with its range of gaming machines, which span from ultra-thin to ultra-big and pretty much everything in between. Additionally, the MSI Katana GF66 is an excellent gaming laptop that provides better value than some of the top gaming laptops.

The Katana GF66 comes in a number of configurations, but the MSI 12UD-436 model that we're reviewing in that lineup includes a 12th generation Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a sizable 512GB solid-state drive at a price that you'd typically expect to find on a lower specification.

Even with a short battery life and a less brilliant screen than we would like, the Katana offers all the important gaming features without significantly sacrificing performance—especially in light of the recent shift in the market for low-cost gaming laptops due to core component costs. The winner of our Editor's Choice award for midrange 15-inch gaming systems is still the Asus TUF Gaming F15 (2022).

MSI Katana GF66 Specification 

• Processor : Intel Core i7-11800H 8 x 2.3 - 4.6 GHz, Tiger Lake-H

• Graphics adapter : NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU - 6 GB VRAM, GDDR6

• Memory : 16 GB , DDR4-3200

• Display : 15.60 inch 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixel 141 PPI, IPS, glossy: no, 144 Hz

• Storage : 512GB SSD

• Connections : 1 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, USB-C Power Delivery (PD), 1 HDMI

• Networking : 10/100/1000 LAN Card (10/100/1000MBit/s), Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (a/b/g/h/n = Wi-Fi 4/ac = Wi-Fi 5/ax = Wi-Fi 6/), Bluetooth 5.2

• Size : height x width x depth (in mm): 24.9 x 359 x 259 ( = 0.98 x 14.13 x 10.2 in)

• Battery : 53.5 Wh Lithium-Polymer, 3-cell

• Operating System : Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64 Bit

• Camera : Webcam: HD 720p

• Additional features : Speakers: Stereo, Keyboard: Chiclet, Keyboard Light: yes, 24 Months Warranty

• Weight : 2.1 kg ( = 74.08 oz / 4.63 pounds) ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)

• Price : 1500 Euro

Design and Features

The MSI Katana GF66 continues in the trend of discrete laptops for gaming and possibly collegiate use by sticking to a simple design with a black plastic lid and just an engraved MSI logo. Its slightly downward-curved bottom complements the hinge nicely.

But when the lid is opened, the garish pattern is exposed. The majority of people can tell right away that this laptop is meant for gaming thanks to the bold red keyboard and, of course, the red lighting on it. As with most of its rivals, the keyboard lacks RGB backlighting—and a cheap one at that. Although the screen's bezels aren't overly large, we've seen smaller. The design is straightforward, but an inexpensive gaming laptop doesn't have to appear that way.

Measures 15.6 x 10.2 x 0.9 inches and weighs 5.1 pounds, making it bigger and heavier than some of its rivals, including MSI. In comparison to the Katana GF66, the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 has a slimmer profile at 14 x 9.6 x 0.8 inches and weighs 4.2 pounds, while the MSI Stealth 15M measures 14.1 x 9.8 x 0.6 inches and weighs 3.7 pounds.

Although there is a respectable array of ports, a Mini DisplayPort would have been wonderful. A power jack and two USB Type-A ports are located on the left side, and an RJ45 port, an HDMI port, a USB Type-C port, a USB Type-A port, and a headphone jack are located on the right side.

Display, Keyboard, and Touchpad

The 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 display that the Katana GF66 sports is unimpressive and lacks brightness compared to its rivals. Its refresh rate of 144Hz barely makes a difference in the viewing experience. Its scant 43.9% DCI-P3 color gamut is far less than the norm of 70% for mainstream gaming laptops. In terms of brightness, the panel tested at 247 nits, which is mediocre when compared to the average of 303 nits for mainstream gaming laptops. More vibrant screens are offered by the Stealth 15M (255 nits) and the Asus Zephyrus M16 (481).

The keyboard on this MSI laptop is suitable for typing on. It's not the worst gaming keyboard I've ever used; the keys are clicky and pleasant. Generally, it's what one would anticipate from an inexpensive gaming laptop. As usual, the red keyboard illumination is a letdown on a low-cost gaming laptop; MSI ought to go with full RGB or white instead.

There is a 4.1 x 2.6-inch touchpad beneath the keyboard; it is smooth but can feel sticky at times. Although Windows 11 motions like two-finger scrolling and three-finger tabbing function well, I find the clickers to be a touch too stiff.

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